1What shall we say then? Shall we continue
in sin that grace may abound? 2Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live
any longer in it? 3Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into
Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4Therefore we were buried with Him
through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the
glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

As soon as you read this paragraph in the Bible you know this is important. You
know this because it is written in the Word of God. But also, in reading this
passage you observe mention of some very basic things: Sin, the grace of God,
the death of Christ, being buried with Him in baptism and walking in newness of
life.

What a marvelous statement that weaves together these matters of such great
importance to us today. Our problem is sin; the grace of God gave the solution
in the death of Christ. We apply that solution by being buried with Christ in
baptism, to arise to walk in newness of life. This is information we need and
this is information we should feel compelled to share with the world. This
instruction in Romans six actually begins back in chapter five.

Near the end of chapter five, Paul made the statement: “Where sin abounded,
grace abounded much more.” Our problem is sin. God’s provision to solve our
problem (the gospel) is a product of His grace. So, where sin abounded grace
abounded much more! God’s provision for our problem of sin is more than adequate
to meet the requirements of pardon. Where sin abounded, grace abounded much
more.

Regarding our problem and God’s gracious provision to solve our problem – we
must be very careful in our thinking; in fact, our thinking about such matters
should be in harmony with what God has said. We should not be influenced by
religious tradition, denominational affiliation, subjective emotion or anything
but the Word of God.

As we move from Romans chapter five into Romans chapter six, here is the issue:
We must never let the truth of God’s grace become any excuse to continue to
sin!!

We should not think that because God’s grace abounds to provide a remedy for
sin, sin is no big deal; or, sin can be continued. We should not think that
since God’s abundant grace offers forgiveness of sin, the more I sin, the more
grace I will call forth from heaven. This is flawed thinking. This shows a
misunderstanding of God, His grace, His plan and what our response should be.
Some may even argue that their sin becomes an advertisement for, publicity for
the grace of God. Thus, as they continue in sin, attention is drawn to the grace
of God. God never intended that His grace become any encouragement to anyone to
continue in sin!

In the opening verses of Romans 6, you will see two questions: “What shall we
say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” Even if we didn’t
have the next verse, or context, we already know how this inquiry should be
answered.

“Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” The answer is “no,” we must
not! The whole point of the abundant grace of God is to enable us to get out of
sin! This is why God sent His Son. This is why Jesus died. This is why the
apostles gave us the New Testament. This is the reason for gospel preaching. The
whole point is: God wants us out of sin, into His family, doing His will and
prepared for heaven!

So the answer is NO. “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” Of course
not. The whole purpose of the abundant grace of God is to enable us to get out
of sin, be saved from it. God’s grace in sending His Son to die – had this
point: to enable us to be forgiven, to get out of sin and live right.

Soberly consider again the logic presented by the apostle: “What shall we say
then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not. How shall
we who died to sin live any longer in it?” The apostle Paul directs a question
to the Christians at Rome, in the second part of verse 2: “How shall we who died
to sin live any longer in it?”

In their response to the gospel, they “died to sin.” They gave up that old life
of sin expressed here as a death. They “died to sin.” Why would you give up that
old life of sin, then use the grace of God as an excuse to return to it? This is
the logic Paul applies to subject, and this is his appeal to his readers, then
and now. If we respond to the call of the gospel – accepting God’s gracious
invitation to come out of sin into Christ – why would we use God’s grace as an
excuse to continuing living in sin? If our heart is right, we will not.

“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into His death?”

When Paul says, “do you not know?” his question implies they did know; they had
been taught about these things. In fact, these people Paul wrote to – had heard
the gospel, believed in Christ and had been “baptized into Christ!” Is there any
doubt about this in your mind? Paul is writing to the church at Rome in this
passage: “Or, do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into His death!”

The grace of God, expressed in the gospel of Christ, should cause us to turn
from sin, as a function of our belief in Christ – then be “baptized into Christ”
to participate in the sacrifice and have personal pardon. Instead of using the
grace of God as an excuse for disobedience, it should be the other way. The
grace of God should cause us to respond, to obey, to be baptized into Christ!
Then, to walk in newness of life.

And observe in the passage, when the grace of God has it’s intended impact in
our minds, and we turn from our sin, trust in Christ and submit to baptism –
when we are baptized into Christ, we are baptized into His death. We become
personal participants in the benefits of Christ’s death, when we are baptized.
We enter into Christ, enjoy the remission of our sins – made possible by His
death! The gospel is so simple!

Instead of defending any continuance in sin, our hearts should be so changed by
the grace of God, we want to repent – that is, die to sin; we want to believe in
Christ; we want to confess our faith in Him, and we want to do what Paul is
writing about here: be baptized into Christ; baptized into His death.

What is your conclusion about these things when you read this?

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not
know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into
His death?”

We must add verse 4 to our study. “Therefore we were buried with Him through
baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of
the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

We cannot ignore the pronoun. I’m talking about that little word “we.” It
certainly includes the writer, the apostle Paul. It would also include his
readers, the original recipients of the epistle, the Christians at Rome.

He said, “we were buried with Him through baptism into death.” When Paul was
converted, his response to the gospel included baptism. Acts 9:18 says, “he
arose and was baptized.” Likewise, those people at Rome who were now Christians
– looking back to their conversion, they were baptized. Thus, Paul’s statement:
“we were buried with Him through baptism into death.”

They were immersed in water, in response to the command to be baptized. In this
burial, they not only activated their faith, they identified themselves with the
death, burial and resurrection of Christ, to arise to walk in newness of life.

Who walks in newness of life? The answer is, “as many of us as were baptized
into Christ.” It is in your Bible and mine - Romans 6:3,4 - “Or do you not know
that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His
death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just
as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life.” The question I brought up is, “Who walks in
newness of life?” The answer is, “as many of us as were baptized into Christ.”

What Should We Learn Today,
From This Part of God’s Word?

(1) The truth of God’s grace should always take us away
from sin, never closer.

When we think about the grace of God toward man, if our thoughts lead us to
minimize sin, take sin lightly or discount the importance of obedience – we are
thinking in the wrong direction. No argument can be made in defense of sin;
certainly, no argument based on God’s unmerited favor! When religious teachers
dismiss obedience and take a relaxed view of sin, while making claims of their
appreciation for the grace of God – something is wrong. God never intended that
His love for man and His grace toward man should have any other effect – but to
call men out of sin, and into Christ.

Over in the book of Jude, the writer sounds an alarm concerning men who had
crept in among the saints. Jude calls them “ungodly men.” He says, in Jude verse
4 – They were turning the grace of God into lewdness. One translation says,
turning the grace of God into lasciviousness. God never intended that His grace
be perverted into anything lewd or lascivious or permissive. I hope we learn
that.

If you hear such teaching or suggestion, it is not from the text of Scripture.
The grace of God should always take us away from sin, never closer. That point
is made in Romans chapter six; in Jude 4. (See also Titus 2:11-14). Any talk
about the grace of God that lessens obligation and promotes sin is not based on
Biblical teaching.

(2) Our conviction and practice in regard to baptism,
should be based on only one thing – What The Bible Teaches!

What you believe and do about baptism should not be governed by the writings of
John Calvin.

What you believe and do about baptism should not be governed by a creed written
by men, or a manual of faith assembled by men.

What you believe and do about baptism should not be dictated by tradition; by
family; by emotion or conformity.

Our conviction and practice regarding baptism should be based on one thing –
what the Word of God teaches. Paul was a Christian, an apostle of Jesus Christ.
He was writing to Christians, and he said in this passage we have studied: “we
were baptized into Christ.”

There is no evidence this is about the sprinkling of an infant. There is nothing
about this being just a symbol of salvation already enjoyed. They were “baptized
into Christ” as a result of hearing and believing the gospel of Christ. {See
also Matt. 28:19; Mrk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:27; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 3:21. You
should undertake a careful study of these passages – influenced by only one
thing: What the Bible says.}

The truth is, the grace of God provides the gift of salvation in Christ. We
receive that gift, when we are baptized into Christ. Baptism is not a work in
the sense of earning salvation by human merit. Baptism is a necessary part of
our response to the gospel.

(3) True conversion means – walking in newness of life
after baptism.

Baptism marks our initial obedience to Christ, to receive what God offers in
Him. After baptism – to keep what we have received, we must walk in newness of
life. Continuing in sin – NO. Walking in newness of life? Yes.

This means living day by day, seeking to follow the example of Christ; doing
God’s will from the heart; growing in your faith; participating with other
Christians in the Lord’s work; worshipping in spirit and in truth; praying;
resisting the devil; coping with life’s difficulties – based on the activity of
your faith in Christ. Walking in newness of life.

Conversion to Christ is a very active thing. It requires the activity of our
faith initially, then after baptism – as we walk in newness of life.